Hunting & Fishing Montana Wolf

psinclair

Gunny Sergeant
Commercial Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 11, 2008
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Glasgow, Montana
MTWolf027.jpg


Hunting wolves in the lower 48 is quite a unique opportunity for licensed hunters. I feel fortunate to be able to have taken this beautiful black and silver male. He weighed 103 pounds.

Through strict management the past 17 years, wolf numbers in the Continental US, have increased enough to justify sport hunting as a means of keeping their numbers in check. The season has been ongoing here in Montana since September and is set up on a quota system.It will close statewide on February 15th. There are 18 Wolf Management Units statewide with quota's being filled in three units. As of today, 145 total wolves have been taken by hunters.

Love them, or hate them, you have to admire them as being one of the most impressive Apex Predators in the Northern Hemisphere. It was a priviledge being able to go hunt them.
 
Re: Montana Wolf

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RGraff</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Beautiful! Nice work PGS. Love the color of that coat.

Care to share your choice of caliber/rifle/optic? Which bullet did you choose? </div></div>

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GA Precision built, Templar action, Rock barrel .260. 10X42 S&B PMII, 130gr Berger VLD.
 
Re: Montana Wolf

Nice pix and story. Before this year, I wasn't really interested in hunting them because I barely have enough time to go after deer and elk. But there's a small pack that has taken up residence in a hunting district I spend most of my time in. Last summer they killed two adult cows and one calf in the summer range used by one of the landowners I know. It's mostly to do them a favor if I get a tag and happen to have one cross my sights.

It's odd to say this, but if it wasn't for the blood on the snow, the first pic looks almost like you're posing with a pet....granted, a big, tough-looking one.
 
Re: Montana Wolf

Outstanding and lucky you.

I would be interested in hearing how you actually went about hunting the wolf.

Call it in, Bait it, Track it, plain old dumb luck, Where you looking for this specific one, etc.
 
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I'm honestly stunned at how beautiful that animal is. I've never seen one in the wild and that is just a gorgeous specimen. Kudos to you.

I'm glad Montana is actively managing the wolf populations and issuing tags. I've heard about other states that have had elk and cattle populations significantly affected by letting wolf populations grow out of proportion.
 
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That is truely awesome! Now you have more in common with your Biological Survey ancestors! Is this your first wolf or have you had to deal with any wolf depredation problems before. In reading about the old biological survey hands it has always stuck with me the respect the men had for bear and lion but the complete hatred they had for wolves. I think that a legally taken wolf in the lower 48s would be the trophy of a lifetime! Congrats!
 
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Mr. Sinclair, you are sir are an Apex predator. The wolf as beautiful and powerful as he was, pales by comparison to a gentleman such as yourself. If I manage to hunt half the days you have in life, and take a quarter of the animals you have, I will die a happy man. You are one hell of an example to those of us aspiring to become apex predators, and I thank you for the bountiful stories and images you bring to this community, allowing those of us who cant get out that much to live your experiences vicariously. Beautiful animal!!
 
Re: Montana Wolf

<span style="font-size: 14pt">You killed Gmork!!</span>

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...more info on the hunt. Like others have asked was it called? Spot and stalk.....Just happen to come upon him?

Hoping to be hunting them down here soon.

Congrats on the awesome trophy.
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Awesome! What a Beautiful Beast! Hopefully I will get to do this someday. My buddy has a hunting cabin in Idaho, but I have not had the chance to go up there.

Also curious what your hunting style was? And what your Taxidermy plans are? I wouldnt be able to afford a full mount, but hope to have a wolf rug someday.
 
Re: Montana Wolf

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZLBubba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've heard about other states that have had elk and cattle populations significantly affected by <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">letting</span></span> wolf populations grow out of proportion. </div></div>

Ain't no <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">letting</span></span> about it. As the following article points out, they double their population annually, and killing 29% of the total population will have no effect the following year. Even if you could kill 30% or more annually, you might not get the chance due to the greenies' way of wolf management by lawsuit.
When Wyoming wanted to delist wolves, they had to come up with a management plan. Which was "Shoot on Sight", in an effort to exceed the 29% figure. Feds disallowed that, so it's back to court and still no wolf harvest, while the damn things are breeding like the dogs they are.
Highly recommend reading the linked article. Love 'em or hate 'em, it's an eye-opener.

Truth in Wolf Management: Article from The Outdoorsman, 2008

And yes, nice wolf! Seems like several of us would be interested in the hunt story: Called, spot n stalk, lucky break, range, etc.

1911fan
 
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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RGraff</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are they offering tags to non-residents?</div></div>
yes.
 
Re: Montana Wolf

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RGraff</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are they offering tags to non-residents? </div></div>

Yes, it's a $300 lottery ticket. I'd love to help when I hunt out there but the price vs the likelihood of seeing one is not worth it.